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Attachment to Policy on Human Body Fluids Precautions
HBV Immunization for Custodians & Housekeeping
Staff
January 2003
Policy:
Human Body Fluids
Precautions, Faculty Senate Document #90-028:
Precautions were developed and approved by the University Health Council
and Approved by the Faculty Senate, December 7, 1989 and revised by the
University Health Council March 8, 2000.
This policy specifies procedures to minimize the risk of occupational
exposure to human body fluids which may potentially be infected with Human
Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the Hepatitis C
virus (HCV), or other bloodborne pathogens.
Implementation of Policy:
Environmental Health and Safety [EH&S] is responsible for the administrative
oversight of the implementation of the policy. EH&S with assistance
from University Health Services (UHS), Occupational Health Program and
individual departments are responsible for identification and categorization
of activities that fall in the scope of this policy. UHS is responsible
for providing the HBV immunization and emergency medical treatment following
occupational contact with human body fluids. Personnel on campus are classified
as "exposed" or "non-exposed" based on tasks required
in their jobs.
EH&S and UHS Occupational Health have determined that tasks performed
by custodial staff fall in the scope of the policy and all custodians
on campus should be covered by all provisions of the policy.
Control Measures Required by the Policy
- Hepatitis B (HBV) Immunization - must be offered (but not required)
at no cost to employee
Exposure control plan - statement of procedures, emergency procedures,
medical follow-up in case of occupational contact.
- Protective supplies and equipment must be made available to employees
- Training is required of personnel covered by this policy.
Who is covered by this Policy?
- Personnel who have potential exposure to human body fluids in the
following departments:
UHS; University Police Department; EH&S, Nursing; Other Academic
Departments with Laboratory personnel.
- Physical Plant, Auxiliary Services and Housing staff working as custodians
[maintainers] and housekeeping staff and any other staff that could
be expected to come in contact with human blood and body fluids.
(Note: It is not necessary to add student employees in these departments
because students are required to have HBV immunization when enrolled
at UMass)
HBV Immunization:
This immunization is a series of 3 shots. The cost of this immunization
is funded by the employee's respective department. This immunization will
be administered by UHS medical staff. Personnel choosing not to be immunized
must sign a waiver. Personnel may choose to be immunized at a later date.
What has been done already?
EH&S has met with Physical Plant personnel, Housing personnel and
Auxiliary Services personnel to explain the policy, and the HBV Immunization
offered to custodians. The initial immunizations were centrally funded
and offered to the aforementioned employee classifications. Subsequent
immunizations will be provided to new employees that qualify for the program
and paid for by the employee's department.
Implementation Plan - Initial Startup (completed):
- EH&S and UHS will schedule an information session about HBV Immunization
for employees in each department.
- UHS will schedule clinics at to administer vaccines.
- UHS will administer vaccine and centrally bill for the cost of the
vaccine.
- EH&S will coordinate immunizations with department personnel and
UHS
- EH&S will assist departments in implementation of other requirements
of the policy (exposure control plan, procedures, training, protective
supplies and equipment)
Implementation Plan - Compliance Maintenance Program:
- Employees that qualify for this program will be provided, by the hiring
department, with informational material on the HBV Immunization program
and encouraged to participate. This informational material must be developed
or approved by EH&S and UHS.
- Departments, with employees that qualify and choose to enroll in the
program, must contact UHS to schedule the HBV Immunization for their
respective employees.
- Departments, with employees that qualify and choose not to enroll
in the program, must sign a waiver refusing participation and the waiver
must become part of their personnel file.
- UHS will administer the vaccine and bill departments for the cost
of the vaccine.
- EH&S will assist departments in implementation of other requirements
of the policy (exposure control plan, procedures, training, protective
supplies and equipment)
Contact for more information:
EH&S Biological Safety Program 545-2682
12-7-04 updated
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